Robotic Surgery

Incredible strides have been made in recent medical technology allowing for the proliferation of minimally invasive surgical procedures. These advances have alleviated the fears surrounding surgery for many such as large scars, long recovery times, and surgical error. For these reasons and many more robotized minimally-invasive surgical systems are becoming rapidly adopted by surgeons and medical schools alike across the country. The future is now, and with the help of these advances in surgical technology, we can craft a healthier and brighter future for all patients.

What is a Robotic Surgical System:

The minimally invasive robotic surgical system enables surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through the creation a few small “keyhole” incisions, rather than the numerous larger incisions needed for the older manual surgery. The MIS system is powered through advanced robotic technology. This technology essentially mimics the movements of a surgeons’ hands, in a more precise manor with no allowance for human error. The surgeon is in a console, watching the screen to see the images projected by the laparoscopic camera within the patient. This console allows the hands of the surgeon to be scaled and replicated into the precise movements of the surgical instruments working within the patients’ body. In simpler terms the console allows the surgeon to manipulate the surgical tools with an unparalleled level of precision.

One of the instruments which enables the surgeons to operate with such acute precision is a laparoscope. The laparoscope is what makes all minimally invasive surgical procedures possible. It is a thin tube with a tiny camera, and a light at the end of the tube. The camera sends images from within the surgical site back to a video monitor in the operating room. The surgeons use these images to guide themselves during the procedure… with this added measure of insight into the operation, robotic surgery has revolutionized the idea of what it means to “go under the knife”.

One of the instruments which gives the surgeons unparalleled control is a high definition laparoscope. The laparoscope is a thin tube with a tiny camera and light at the end. The camera sends images to a video monitor in the operating room to guide doctors during surgery. With this added measure of insight, robotic surgery has been revolutionized with enhanced 3D visualization of the surgical field.

Types of “minimally-invasive Robotic” Procedures:

As the name of the practice suggests, at Minimally Invasive and Bariatrics we’ve adopted laparoscopic and robotic, minimally-invasive techniques for most of our procedures. We will meet with each patient on an individual case-by-case to determine which procedure is appropriate. However, in most cases it is more advantageous and recommended to pursue a minimally-invasive option.

Clarifying the Idea of “Robotic Surgery”:

Despite the minimally invasive surgical system being referred to within the general terms of “robotic surgery”… this a misnomer. Some may think that autonomous robots are performing the operation, or that a surgeon watches on as an auto-pilot robot performs the surgery on the patient. This would truly be impressive, and something to behold, however this is not how minimally-invasive surgical systems work. The system is entirely dependent upon the expertise and skill of the surgeon. The minimally-invasive surgical system has not been designed to perform without a surgeon, nor does it contain and surgical decision software. Throughout the entirety of the procedure the surgeon is in complete control of all actions and all decisions.

Advantages with Dr. Bello, the MIB Team & The Minimally-Invasive System:

The advantage of choosing Dr. Bello and the MIB team is clear as day, in fact it’s right there in our name, Minimally Invasive and Bariatrics. We’re leaders in the minimally-invasive surgical industry, who’ve trained extensively with the latest and greatest technical advances in the field. Our founder Dr. Abel Bello is a board-certified surgeon specializing in bariatric and minimally invasive surgeries. He is a top-rated physician receiving multiple awards and is a member of multiple professional organizations. He has spent many years working as a medical instructor and consultant, and has published articles and spoken at scientific conferences regarding his extensive research in the areas of minimally invasive surgery and bariatric surgery procedures.

He serves on national committees at prestigious professional surgery organizations in the USA and is actively involved in academic surgery and research where he is constantly evolving along with the surgery field to always offer patients the best available treatments.

The minimally invasive surgical technique is much better than traditional manual method of surgery. It allows for a much higher level of precision as well as less scarring and a speedier recovery. The minimally invasive system itself boasts some impressive features such as:

A magnified vision system that gives surgeons a 3D HD view inside the patient’s body

An ergonomically designed console where the surgeon sits while operating

A Patient-side cart where the patient is positioned during surgery

Wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand

MIB “Minimally-Invasive Surgery” FAQs:

​What are the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci compared against traditional methods of surgery?

​The major benefits surgeons whom utilize the “da Vinci” Surgical System encounter as opposed to traditional methods are greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization and improved access. The major benefits for patients may include a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss, fewer transfusions, less scarring, a faster recovery and return to normal daily activities. We strongly feel that these benefits make a convincing and clear-cut argument for the adoption of the “da Vinci” Surgical System.

What is Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)?

​Minimally Invasive Surgery or MIS is a surgery procedure typically performed through tiny incisions or operating ports, rather than large incisions. This type of surgery typically results in potentially shorter recovery times, fewer complications, reduced hospitalization costs and overall reduced trauma to the patient. MIS has become the standard-of-care for particular surgical procedures and the addition of robotic assisted technology enables the use of MIS techniques for complex procedures.

Will robotic surgery make a surgeon unnecessary?

Despite the name “robotic surgery” the system is not a self-automated robot, it is a robot-assisted system that relies entirely upon the surgeon.

Why is it called the da Vinci Surgical System?

​The product is called the “da Vinci” after the much famed Italian Renaissance artist and mathematician. His at-the-time unparalleled anatomical accuracy and three-dimensionally detailed paintings brought his masterpieces to life. Similarly, the “da Vinci” Surgical System provides physicians with such enhanced detail and precision that the system can simulate an open surgical environment while allowing the operation to occur through tiny incisions.